Battle Campfires and Confident Brothers
Taking another long, deep breath, Sidjay sighed.
It was a fresh night, cold, the wind that rushed through Landon Fields played with the fire and sang, blowing between tents and tired Knights and Soldiers. The sky was pitch black. This was the first battle after King Karadas’ death - the man who was King when Sidjay’s family visited court, the man young teenage Sidjay had always told herself she would befriend, just for the sake of befriending a king. It had never happened. The man that was Menjai’s relative, but it was Menjai’s relative as well, who was the new King now. Her uncle. King Deas.
Her muscles felt heavy and sore, as if she was still wearing her armor, even though she had taken it off right after the battle. It was her arms that hurt the most, as usual, no wonder, with the weight of her sword and the strain of magic. This was her job, her entire life - feeling exhausted after only one day was a bad sign, she really did have to spend a lot more time training, just like everyone told her. Mainly Johnus.
Looking up from the luring dance of the fire she was staring into, it felt too hot against her legs and face, there he was. Grinning this silly smile he had reserved for Kelt, because Kelt was saying silly things. It was lighting his whole face up brightly - this face of him, usually so in thought about what he was going to say next, about what their siblings were doing at home. About things even Sidjay didn’t know of.
She really loved them, both of them. Endlessly positive Kelt was such a source of energy for her, and Johnus, her older brother, was always so caring - so worried. Just looking at them like this, as if there was nothing to be tired about, made the blonde feel better already, too. Sidjay smiled so gently it felt odd on her lips. This was no time to slump down over bread and soup. This was the time to share words and strength, so motivate and inspire, to light spirit afire.
So maybe, she could give back a little bit of the strength Kelt and Johnus always gave her.
Sidjay rushed her hair back with her fingers and then shook some volume into it. Putting her hand on Migwa’s should, who was in midst of eating her nightly mean, Sidjay stood up and tall. Migwa smiled, she knew what this meant, and Sidjay gave her a toothy smile back. It was so cheesy, her holding speeches, and yet, with her slacking in training of her magic, with her running off to do her own thing. With all of her faults and flaws, at least this was a thing she could.
Her sword was already sheathed and sharpened in their weapon’s tent, otherwise she would have held it high, and it was water, she was drinking, not wine, but Sidjay held her cup towards the fire and sky anyone. She looked at her Compan and pride filled her chest.
Migwa smiling up to her in this innocent manner of hers. Menjai leaning on Liev, more quiet than usual. Samual next to them, probably thinking of his sister just like Johnus, who smiled at her. Kelt grinned from eat to ear, he loved speeches just like her. Sidjay knew, when she would sit down afterwards, he would stand up. Olphan and Zolyn, interested, but as always with sharp eyes that proved sharp minds. Saraas and Jeiramey, sitting with more space between them and the others. Mohmay, giving her a look to start already. Grinning at all of them, she did.
“Another battle against the Cold North, another day of our entire Compan coming back not unharmed, but with our lives tight in our hands. Not many have been as lucky as we were, protected by the Gods due to our faithful Commander, - thank you, Kelt - , many have left their lives on the battlefield again, as in any battle. As in any battle, North blood has been spilled just alike out own. And yet, among all this hurt and death that is our daily lives, every single one of us has made it here again, and every single one of us is healthy and strong enough to do the same tomorrow. With our dead strong in our back, and our families tight in our minds - with all of us fighting together and for each other, as I stand here, tomorrow shall and will be just as successful as today!”